Parents' Guide to

18 to Life

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Sitcom makes light of teen marriage and premarital sex.

TV CW Comedy 2010
18 to Life Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

While playing a game of Truth or Dare, teenage couple Jessie (Stacey Farber) and Tom (Michael Seater) end up getting engaged. But nobody seems thrilled about the news, particularly the happy couple's horrified friends (Jesse Rath and Erin Agostino) and shellshocked parents (Ellen David, Peter Keleghan, Angela Asher, and Alain Goulem). Turns out nobody really wants a big wedding ... least of all Jessie and Tom, who skip the ceremony altogether and go straight to City Hall. The rest of 18 TO LIFE is about their struggles being teens and married adults.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1):

There's something shocking and at the same time strangely chaste about this Canadian import that asks viewers to accept an exceptionally odd premise. On one hand, these kids are 18, and nowadays, not too many "kids" get married -- unless they have to. On the other, there's no baby on the way, which means they're actually getting married for love. Couple that with the fact that they got the idea while playing Truth or Dare, and it's a real head-scratcher.

Aside from all that, though, the show isn't very funny, which makes it all the more difficult to swallow. Because while comedies can take a lot of liberties with audiences when it comes to what we're willing to believe, they've got to make us laugh in return. And in this case, we're left feeling cheated.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about sex and the real-life consequences that come along with it. Does this show approach the subject with any seriousness? Do you think it portrays teens' attitudes realistically when it comes to sex?

  • In terms of behavior, how do these characters compare to other teens on TV?

  • How would you characterize the people on the show as role models? Are they intended to be role models to teens?

TV Details

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